JACKSON CENTER — Three Jackson Center employees will travel to Bowling Green to attend the dedication of a solar electrical-generation field on Thursday April 27, 2017. The solar phase II dedication will offer council members and other attendees a chance to visit a newly constructed state-of-the-art solar field much like the one to be installed on a nine acre parcel of land along Jerry Drive, north of Airstream Trailers Inc.
The solar field in Jackson Center will be built and managed by AMP (American Municipal Power) and will produce 1.7 megawatts of electricity, a third of which will go to the village with the residual power then being transferred to the power grid. Those attending will include Village Administrator Bruce Metz, Electrical Superintendant Dave Overman, and Zoning Enforcement officer Ed Maxwell. A luncheon will be provided following the meeting.
Council approved the financial report for the month of March 2017 noting that revenue exceeded expenditures by $66,000. It was also noted that the current balance for the village was $616,000 higher than the previous balance a year ago at this same time.
Metz shared several reports the first being the outcome of a recent “Table Top Exercise” presented by the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency. The scenario was a tornado traveling across the county leaving Jackson Center to handle the situation alone assuming no help from neighboring villages would be available.
“The exercise went very well, we had 22 people participating and the outcome revealed we handled the situation quite properly,” said Metz. “Our new emergency radios preformed nicely, a welcome improvement over last year. There will be more exercises held in the future that will include local businesses as well, the exercises are conducted to educate and inform the participants and to detect potential weaknesses that can be addressed as needed.”
Metz also reported progress is being made for installing drainage tile for the new soccer field. The drainage tile, drain pipe, and fixtures have been delivered and construction will begin soon.
A Cyber Security test was conducted to determine the security of the village computer system.
“The test included the physical as well as the cyber aspects of the system and indications are the system is in very good shape” said Metz “We have multiple layers of protection and are already addressing the few places where we can make improvements.”
Metz reported the improved driveway project and installation of a traffic light on the west side of town near Airstream is going very well and is on schedule. He also predicted a summer full of activity.
“We are setting a lot of projects in motion, it’s going to be a busy summer but we are working hard to plan far enough ahead so as no to interfere with normal village business activities,” said Metz.
Before adjournment council moved to go into executive (closed) session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and the employment of a public employee.
